Sacramento Jazz Festival Expedition

For the last 36 years, Sacramento, California, has been the host city for an event that was originally called The Sacramento Jazz Jubilee. As the years clicked by, the event grew in scope and complexity, such that the festival organizers felt that the name should be changed to the Sacramento Jazzfest to reflect the new generation of participants and spectators. The weather for this year's festival could have been "custom-made" for a fun time in the outdoors, as the temperature and clear blue skies were picture-perfect over the Memorial Day Holiday. Jazzfest kicked off with a parade down the main street of "Old Sacramento", with various groups marching, playing music, or riding in vintage automobiles, displaying signs of the special "dignitaries" they carried.

There were venues of music performances throughout the Old Town and Downtown areas of Sacramento. Shuttle buses were available to transport attendees to events that were too far to walk between. Likewise, shuttle buses stopped at participating hotels to pick up folks who came to the city from out of town for the festival. There were so many performances to choose from that it was impossible to catch them all. In fact, the official program for Jazzfest listed twelve different varieties of music: Big Bands, Blues, Gospel, Gypsy Jazz, Novelty, Latin Jazz, Mainstream, Pop Cover, Swing, Trad, Western Swing, and Zydeco. The program described these as a "musical buffet' at which you can sample a little of this and a little of that, until your plate runneth over. Some of the events required a ticket purchase (which could be done individually or a four-day, all-event ticket) However, if you are on a budget, there are enough performances held in public spaces that don't require a ticket, that you can have a full day without spending a penny. (This is highly unlikely, however, when you smell the fresh-popped kettle corn being sold by street vendors!)

As might be expected, the crowds of people called for an increased police presence in the area,, but the three policemen pictured on bicycle patrol above, indicated there had not been any significant problems to deal with, in terms of rowdy, inappropriate behavior. Maybe that is because the Keystone Cops (Top Photo) had issued warnings in the opening parade that anyone not having a good time would be severely reprimanded.

Since Old Town Sacramento is situated on the Sacramento River, the Delta King Riverboat, which is permanently moored there, was the location I found most enjoyable to listen to music, and "people watch". The cool "delta breezes" coming off the river kept audience members comfortable as the performers belted out their rhythms along the water. There are hundreds of music festivals held throughout the U.S. each year, but it would be hard to top the Sacramento Jazzfest. Isaiah 23: 16b says "...play the harp well, sing many a song so that you will be remembered." I will for sure remember the songs of Sacramento, and I would definitely recommend putting this on your list of "future expeditions" if you have not yet done so! Miles of smiles! Tricia

Return Expedition to South Dakota's Wall Drug

My first visit to Wall Drug, in Wall, South Dakota, was on the occasion of a motorcycle trip to that state to attend the famous Sturgis Motorcycle Rally. So on that very hot day in August of 1990, I had no idea what to expect as we took the exit off I-90 to view what the billboards had been teasing us with for the last several hundred miles. Main Street of the tiny town was completely closed off to automobile traffic, and it was "wall to wall" motorcycles in downtown Wall, South Dakota. Making our way through the hundreds of road-weary bikers, we explored this most unusual "drug store" and took advantage of the free ice water their billboards had been advertising. And of course, we were captivated by the magnitude of souvenirs and memorabilia that covered every square inch of space in the establishment. For this reason, I was looking forward to an opportunity I had for a return visit last week, to Wall, at a time when there were more automobiles in the street than motorcycles. The visit last week had the added benefit of meeting the current owners of Wall Drug, who shared with our group the story of how it was started. Their grandparents, Ted and Dorothy Hustead, along with their father, Bill Hustead, moved to Wall and founded Wall Drug on December 31, 1931. It was the time of "The Great Depression", which was felt even worse in that part of South Dakota because of dust storms, drought, grasshoppers, crop failures and severe winters.

But Dorothy Hustead conceived the idea that many a hot, dusty traveler would welcome a drink of ice water from the Wall Drug well, and the first signs popped up on Highway 16. Suddenly, a sleepy little prairie town became the stopping off place for travelers across South Dakota. The Ice Water Store was born.

The Husteads were people of faith, and had probably read Jesus' words recorded in Mark 9:41 that say "For whosoever shall give you a cup of water to drink in my name, because ye belong to Christ, verily I say unto you, he shall not lose his reward." A survey of the Wall Drug Enterprise of today makes it clear that the Husteads have not lost their reward! Besides a huge shopping emporium, there is a "Traveler's Chapel" that is beautifully furnished, and serves as a reminder of the source of all blessings this family has received. I would definitely recommend a stop at the world-famous Wall Drug. You can read more about the world's largest drug store at http://www.walldrug.com/ or phone 605-279-2175 for hours of operation. Miles of smiles! Tricia

"Motherly Moments" from Custer State Park Expedition

In recognition of Mother's Day, 2009, (May 10), it seems appropriate to focus on a "Motherly Moment" I was able to capture in a photograph during a recent expedition to Custer State Park in South Dakota. The photograph brings to my mind, the promise we read in Isaiah 66:13a (KJV) that says "As one whom his mother comforteth, so will I comfort you;"

Custer State Park is located in the scenic Black Hills area of South Dakota, and at 71,000 acres is the nation's largest state park. Likewise, it is the habitat of one of the world's largest free-roaming bison herds. Although one can drive through the park on their own (phone 605-255-4464 to reach the Visitor's Center) , I had the pleasure of being "chauffeured" through the park "safari style" in a converted, open-air vehicle operated by Buffalo Safari Jeep Tours (605-255-4541 or 888-875-0001)). This allowed me to concentrate on taking photographs of the buffalo, antelope, sheep, birds, and other wildlife that abound here.

The driver of the Jeep that I was in was a self-described "old-timer", named Dean, who has been associated with the park since he was a teen-ager, helping his uncle who was employed by the park, and lived there in a CCC-built cabin, that is still in use today. He provided many valuable insights and interesting stories that made the ride extremely enjoyable. They even furnish blankets for their customers, in case the weather is too breezy to enjoy in your street clothes. Their normal operating season starts with Mother's Day and goes through late October. So, if you are wondering what to give a mother that has everything---how about the gift of experiencing God's great outdoors at Custer State Park??!! Miles of smiles! Tricia

Al Roker Photos

The text that explains these photos is in post called "NBC Today Show Expedition". The cyberspace gremlin disconnected the photos and the text somehow! :)

NBC Today Show Expedition

For decades, I have watched those ridiculous-looking people who stand on the sidelines---waving madly, holding up tacky signs, and screaming like wild animals---as the NBC weatherman tried to tell his TV audience what to expect in the way of temperature, rain, wind, etc.; yet, when the NBC Today Show's Al Roker came to Branson Landing this past weekend to do his weather broadcast, I realized I might never have another opportunity to see such a production in person, so I decided to become one of those ridiculous-looking people myself! The fact that the weather last Friday was absolutely the most gorgeous day we have had all spring, figured heavily into my decision to make the pre-dawn drive to Branson to be part of the show. In the top photo, Al Roker is shown interviewing Branson entertainers Andy Williams (as in Moon River), and Righteous Brother Bill Medley (as in "You've Lost That Lovin' Feeling").

In the wide angle shot, with the fountains and Lake Taneycomo in the background, Roker was joking around with comedian Yakov Smirnoff , who also has a theater in Branson.

It seemed everybody there was on their cellphone, calling anyone who would answer, to let them know they were on the Today Show. This included Al Roker, himself, who, no doubt, was phoning his wife to see if she was watching!

At least I wasn't standing on my head to get attention, which is exactly what the Acrobats of China did, in one of the segments! Back in Arkansas, I had my DVR set to record the show, and after watching the playback just now, I saw that I actually did make my NBC television debut on April 24, 2009! I found myself in the crowd, standing in the background, as Roker interviewed the Lennon Sisters, who were part of the Celebrity Chefs demonstrating their culinary talents for the Great American Pie Show later that day. I would love to write more, but I need to go wait by the phone for the talent scouts who will soon be contacting me to sign me up for future television appearances! :) Miles of smiles! Tricia

OVERCOMING "STAGE FRIGHT"

One reason often given for student travel is that it gives youngsters the opportunity to perform in unfamiliar venues, and in front of unfamiliar audiences, in order to teach them poise; it also helps them overcome any tendencies they might have to what is commonly called "stage fright". This term took on a new meaning for the Arkansas Elite Cheer Team that was performing in the MCDA Cheer and Dance Championships yesterday in Branson, Missouri. A gust of wind lifted one end of the performance stage off the ground, then folded over onto the other end of the stage, like a giant omelet. However, the filling inside this omelet was a team of little girls, instead of ham, cheese, and onion. All this occurred while the young Arkansas Elite team was doing their routine in front of the judges. To give you an idea of what it must have felt like for the girls, imagine a mattress, body slamming you at about twenty miles per hour!! Adults rushed to the stage to try to lift it off of the cheerleaders who were underneath, and ---as you might imagine---very shaken up! The term "stage fright" will have a whole different meaning to these young ladies from now on! They did not get to finish their routine, but they were the people's choice for the "Overcoming Stage Fright" Award! After the initial shock subsided from witnessing it, I was thanking God that it did not occur while a stunt was being done where they toss one of the team members high into the air and she is then caught by the others mid-air. If the stage-folding incident occurred then, the girl being tossed into the air would not have had her team members below her to catch her, and that would have been a much greater catastrophe! This is a reminder to all us grandparents and parents to "pray without ceasing" for the well-being of our youngsters! Miles of smiles! Tricia (p.s. A future blog will show photos of what the stage looked like whenever it was not folded over itself)

Student Expeditions---Something to Cheer About!!

These photos show my granddaughter's Arkansas Elite Cheer & Dance Team competing in the MCDA Cheer and Dance Championship Meet, held yesterday, at Celebration City in Branson, Missouri. They won first place in their division!

After the "blown away" incident earlier that day, adults sat on the end of the stage, to keep it from being lifted off the ground again by a gust of wind. This was especially good news to those girls being tossed high into the air, and depending on their team mates beneath them to catch them before gravity does!

This team definitely has something to cheer about!

Adriana ( left) and Kaitlyn (right) took first place for their routine in the "duo" division. Congratulations from a very proud, and very thankful, "Grandma Tricia"! Miles of smiles!